New Golf Season - High Hopes?

[greenlex]

Played Dumbarnie yesterday. Great course. Greens are still pretty poor for the money. Particularly the 8th. Some of the aprons and approaches were better. If your thinking about it I would wait till next year.
As an aside South African tour pro Shaun Norris was playing behind me off the Black tees. Unreal the distances and accuracy on a breezy day. I’m going each-way on him next week.

[BroxburnHibee]

Currently in Vilamoura, Portugal. Had 2 games this week at Old Course and Millenium.

Both excellent courses if anyone is thinking of a golf trip in this area.

[greenlex]

Played Bruntsfield today with a ginger Hay fever suffering Hibee who is a member at Turnhouse. He was going well till conditions got the better of him. First to name him wins……………….. a bottle of chilled water and some piriteze.

[BroxburnHibee]

Ross Hay

[greenlex]

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Ross Hay

Nope. This chap was in Turkey and suffered there too.

[greenlex]

Spey valley. Tough track on a tough day. Brutal.

[BroxburnHibee]

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Nope. This chap was in Turkey and suffered there too.

Andrew Walls?

[greenlex]

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Andrew Walls?

[greenlex]

Boat of Garten. Lovely track and very picturesque. About a third of the greens absolutely ducked and repaired by turf!!!! Really poor.
Carrbridge today. 9 holes of challenging shortish holes. Very good condition. Best of the three I played up there the last few days condition wise. The 7th has a carry of 250 yards to a narrow green front to back with no future at the back. (Not unlike the first at Winterfield but smaller narrower green.). Whole course a very good test of golf. Bring yer best swing.

[Just_Jimmy]

I'm relatively new to golf. I've always had an interest but until lockdown I didn't play.

I got clubs etc during lockdown and I've got a good mate who's about a year ahead of me in terms of taking it up.

I'm actually decent, whilst not brilliant, I can get around a course. I'm just really inconsistent. Im happy enough with where i am considering the following, but want to improve;

All in I've probably been playing for 8 months to a year due to how often they closed courses etc and winter.

I don't play that often, some months I'm lucky if I get out twice.

That said, I absolutely love the game and I'm at a point where I want to make a real concerted effort to get better. I've still not broken 100 but I'm determined to take at least 10 off my score then go from there.

I'm looking at lessons now because I feel I'm ready and they'd make a proper difference to my game. There's a guy at my local course that's a PGA level 3 coach. Is that decent and what should I look to get out my lessons?

For those of you that are genuinely good golfers, what's the best way to start breaking 100 regularly so that I can really improve?

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[Hibby Bairn]

Try and keep track of your round stats if you can. You will probably find you have lots of shots within 100 yards or so from the green. Including lots of 3 (or more!) putts. The single biggest way to reduce your scores would be to practice putting, chipping and pitching.

Most people will go to a driving range and smash loads of balls with a driver. Whereas the biggest impact would actually be felt if they practiced on their short game.

And don't attempt really difficult shots that have a high risk of putting you in trees, bunkers, water etc. Play sensibly away from these and you will soon turn 7s into 6s and then 5s. Your short game will then turn them into 4s and 5s.

Have fun.

[Hibs90]

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I'm relatively new to golf. I've always had an interest but until lockdown I didn't play.

I got clubs etc during lockdown and I've got a good mate who's about a year ahead of me in terms of taking it up.

I'm actually decent, whilst not brilliant, I can get around a course. I'm just really inconsistent. Im happy enough with where i am considering the following, but want to improve;

All in I've probably been playing for 8 months to a year due to how often they closed courses etc and winter.

I don't play that often, some months I'm lucky if I get out twice.

That said, I absolutely love the game and I'm at a point where I want to make a real concerted effort to get better. I've still not broken 100 but I'm determined to take at least 10 off my score then go from there.

I'm looking at lessons now because I feel I'm ready and they'd make a proper difference to my game. There's a guy at my local course that's a PGA level 3 coach. Is that decent and what should I look to get out my lessons?

For those of you that are genuinely good golfers, what's the best way to start breaking 100 regularly so that I can really improve?

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If you get lessons, make sure you practice whatever it is they are teaching you and don't expect instant results, often one step back two forward etc and they do take time. You'll really need to play and practice a decent amount to see longer term improvement. Sadly I can't help you with the consistency part, I struggle with that myself.

I'd also work on short game - so chipping and putting. Putting is like half your strokes. Lots of good drills for this online.

[Smartie]

I’m certainly not a good golfer, would probably have a handicap of 18 or so so I’m familiar with the getting from 100 to 90. I don’t really have the time or inclination to play more or practice enough to move on from there.

Good course management can shave a lot of strokes off a round. Knowing where the safest “miss” is, or if you have a repeat mistake (hook, slice or the like) knowing how to cater for it. 3 x 5 irons to get to a green is better than smashing a couple of balls out of bounds and still be standing on the tee taking your 5th. Aim for centres of greens instead of attacking pins.

I’ve never had a golf lesson and my game is a combination of adaptations so I try never to coach anyone or advise on swing mechanics - I don’t know what I’m talking about and reckon you’ve to be careful giving and taking advice and that’s where proper lessons come in.

My game’s probably made the biggest strides when I’ve had time to play on my own. I’ve quite liked utilising twilight golf offers and playing when courses are quiet (sometimes eerily so). Being able to drop 3 or 4 balls and practice the short game, hitting different clubs with different trajectories and seeing what you like best.

And as mentioned, the putting. If you play the same course regularly, spend as much time getting to know the greens. Practice like mad from 3-8 ft as they’ll make or break rounds. Work out where to put the ball to minimise the 3’s. Always keep absolute concentration so the miss from less than 2ft is a never event. And try to make sure that the 4 putt is a never event. You can weather the odd 3 putt on your way to a 90.

Turn up early, get nicely warmed up. Loosen up so the swing on the first tee feels comfortable. Spend a decent amount of time on the putting green before going out to get a good feel for the ball so you’re comfortable putting on the 1st green, not waiting until the back 9 to get a feel for them.

Get mistakes and bad holes out of your system fast. Don’t fester or get into a “I’m playing crap today” mindset. Only thing that mattters is the next shot.


When I play well and play better than my handicap (ie break 90) then it’s because I do these things. This list is compiled from all the things I tend to do when I play crap and get >100.

My pet hate is crushing a big drive, being closish to a green and walking off with a double or triple bogey. Happens way too often.

[ACLeith]

Lot of good advice here, some of which applies whatever your handicap is. One comment I would add is that unlike refereeing decisions in our games, the good/lucky breaks do tend to balance out the bad ones.

As someone said, the most important shot you ever play is the next one. It's a cliche but especially true if you've just had a bad break.

Stick at it JJ, it's a game you can play even when you're as old as me!

[Just_Jimmy]

Guys that's superb. Even just reading it and knowing whatever you're ability the game is a leveller. I absolutely love the game and I love trying to beat the course rather than who I'm playing with. A lot of what's been said rings true. Especially the putting side.

Time and effort to get better. I genuinely think I can be a much better player.

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[BroxburnHibee]

I've had a good few days out already this year.....

Spey Valley
Jubilee St Andrews
Queens at Gleneagles
Downfield
Glencorse
Harburn
Duns
Carrick at Loch Lomond
Castle Park
Old Course, Vilamoura
Millenium, Vilamoura

Still got Largs, Panmure and Castle Stuart to come....

Won't be as long a list as Mr Greenlex though

[ACLeith]

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I've had a good few days out already this year.....

Spey Valley
Jubilee St Andrews
Queens at Gleneagles
Downfield
Glencorse
Harburn
Duns
Carrick at Loch Lomond
Castle Park
Old Course, Vilamoura
Millenium, Vilamoura

Still got Largs, Panmure and Castle Stuart to come....

Won't be as long a list as Mr Greenlex though

Going to be playing Duns next month, so what's your thoughts on the course?

[BroxburnHibee]

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Going to be playing Duns next month, so what's your thoughts on the course?

I enjoyed it.

[Just_Jimmy]

Good advice earlier folks. Giving it a right go.

Love it, love chasing it and trying to just get better every time. Marginal games.

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[blackpoolhibs]

43 points today to win our seniors comp. Screenshot 2022-07-25 at 21.13.56.jpg

Couldnt hit a barn door with a banjo last week.

[greenlex]

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I've had a good few days out already this year.....

Spey Valley
Jubilee St Andrews
Queens at Gleneagles
Downfield
Glencorse
Harburn
Duns
Carrick at Loch Lomond
Castle Park
Old Course, Vilamoura
Millenium, Vilamoura

Still got Largs, Panmure and Castle Stuart to come....

Won't be as long a list as Mr Greenlex though

Up to 34 away days for the season. Swanston for the first time this Friday and West Linton on Sunday will bring it up to 36. 50 odd planned.
Winterfield
Kingsbarns
Ladybank
Baberton x3 two bounce games and their seniors
Royal Musselburgh
Renaissance
West Lothian
Pumpherston
Newbattle
Kilspindie
Kings Club
Bathgate
Greenburn
The Hirsel
Linlithgow
Uphall x2 two opens
Balmore
Dunfermline Pitfirrane
Muirfeild
Ratho Park
The Glen
Dumbarnie
Milngavie
Bruntsfield
Powfoot
Gifford
Spey Valley
Boat of Garten
Carrbridge
Craigmillar Park
Mortonhall

chuck in 38 medals at home plus match play ties (I’m in the semis of one) and senior team games it’s a fair amount of golf.
Im also currently at 4700 balls at the range (mostly at Kingsfield ) since March. I don’t really want to think of the cost. GOLF DAFT!!

all that and still can’t play the game properly.

Im gonna need a rest come October.

[patch1875]

Played Dunbar at the weekend what a cracking course.

[Golden Bear]

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Played Dunbar at the weekend what a cracking course.

I played there yesterday in the Seniors Open and it was a season highlight for me that I didn't three putt !

😄

[greenlex]

Played Swanston for the first time yesterday. Reckon it’ll be my last too.

[Golden Bear]

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Played Swanston for the first time yesterday. Reckon it’ll be my last too.

It's a good hike but the apres golf hospitality is excellent. 👍. I'm heading to Torwoodlee golf club in Gala next Saturday , a course I always enjoy playing.

[greenlex]

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It's a good hike but the apres golf hospitality is excellent. 👍. I'm heading to Torwoodlee golf club in Gala next Saturday , a course I always enjoy playing.

West Linton for me tomorrow.

[Golden Bear]

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West Linton for me tomorrow.

Good luck and beware the midgies, especially on the second tee. 😄

[greenlex]

My golf has been less that impressive this season especially with the big stick. Heading for a lesson this afternoon.

[patch1875]

Any recommendations for getting clubs regripped and lengthened?

[Golden Bear]

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Any recommendations for getting clubs regripped and lengthened?

I'd try GolfClubs4Cash at Loanhead.

I know they provide an excellent regripping service and have enough qualified staff on site to advise you on the shaft options that will suit you best.